How to Add Porch Railing to a Playhouse
An adorable finishing touch to any child's playhouse is a front porch complete with railing. You can add a porch railing to a playhouse with a few easy to use tools and minor carpentry skills. The process is so simple that you can even ask the kids to help.
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Instructions
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1
Decide how tall you want the porch rail to be. If you already have corner posts, such as a playhouse with an overhanging porch roof, proceed to Step 2. If you do not already have corner posts, cut a post for each railing corner using 4-by-4 inch treated lumber. To determine length, add 12 inches to the desired height. Place the posts flush with each corner and sink each one 12 inches into the earth. Secure with decking screws.
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2
Measure 1-by-6 inch lumber to form the top rail according to desired placement. For example, if you have preexisting, floor-to-ceiling corner posts, the porch railing will sit flush between them. Measure the distance between posts. If you're using posts that only go up to railing height, the railing will sit on top of them. Measure the distance from the outside edge of one post to the outside edge of the other so the top lays flush.
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3
Secure the top rail to the corner posts from underneath, using decking screws and "L" brackets.
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4
Use 2-by-4 inch lumber to create rail balusters, also known as spindles. To make your own, measure each piece 3 inches longer than the desired height of the railing.
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5
Hold the first baluster flush beneath the top rail and against the outside edge of the playhouse porch. Three inches will hang over the porch edge.
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6
Attach the baluster with decking screws at the bottom. Secure from underneath the top rail with an L bracket. Repeat with each baluster, keeping them an equal distance apart.
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Tips & Warnings
To simplify even spacing between the spindles, cut a scrap piece of wood the same size as the space. Use the scrap to align spindles perfectly.
If you prefer fancy balusters, you can purchase traditional stairway spindles and cut them to fit the desired height.
Make certain the balusters are close enough together that a young child can't become trapped or slide between them.
